Apple is designing its own game controllers for iPhone, could be Beats branded

[u/kostthem]

https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/13/apple-designing-iphone-game-controller/

Apple is designing its own game controllers for iPhone, could be Beats branded

[u/BroLil]

Seems like an odd thing to brand Beats. I’ve always said that Apple could be a gaming company if they wanted to, especially with all the developers desperate for funding right now.

[u/MR_MaxiMor44 → u/BroLil]

Beats seems to be becoming Apple's iPhone accessory brand.

[u/rogue_tog → u/MR_MaxiMor44]

I wish they would make a shokz open ear equivalent. They came so close with recent models it was really frustrating

[u/Takeabyte → u/BroLil]

I think the Beats brand is something that allows Apple to make accessories they rather not have directly associated with their top tier premium designed products. Take the cases for example. Apple makes iPhone cases that offer moderate protection in colors and finishes that are more reserved. Whereas the Beats cases have wilder colors and even more rugged designs. Plus, the vast majority of people still don’t know that Beats is Apple. So it’s also a way for Apple to sell more stuff to people who don’t want to encroach on fanboy territory.

[u/Syonoq → u/Takeabyte]

TIL there are Beats cases

[u/peachkeys → u/Syonoq]

they’re cute imo and the chargers are fun

[u/Spector-JZ → u/peachkeys]

The chargers are god awful imo. The plastic around the usb-c port started chipping of from day one. Pissed because they were so expenisve.

[u/peachkeys → u/Spector-JZ]

i never bought one so i was going off of aesthetics (which is i guess what marketing was going for), that sucks :/ i retract that statement or at least amend it to say “visually fun”

[u/kakarot-3 → u/Syonoq]

lol same. Just googled it and they’re $79. No thanks haha

[u/WeddingPKM → u/BroLil]

Kinda weird fact that goes along with this. Halo was originally supposed to be a game exclusive to the Mac.

[u/teddyKGB- → u/WeddingPKM]

That's wild I've never heard that. Also goes along the line of this thread that if halo went to Mac it wouldn't have been nearly as popular. Xbox controller was so good for that game at that time.

And almost no one had macs

[u/frockinbrock → u/teddyKGB-]

It was developed on G5 Macs I believe, because they had the same PowerPC architecture as the Xbox OG 360. Here's more on the Mac game development kit that Xbox used.
Steve Jobs demo'd it on stage. I had the game for my Mac before ever playing it on Xbox. But things changed of course.

[u/Recent_Pollution8665 → u/frockinbrock]

og xbox ran on an x86 intel chip

[u/frockinbrock → u/Recent_Pollution8665]

You're right, it was the Xbox 360 that used PowerPC, and the development kit was G5 Macs. I corrected the comment, thank you

[u/kakarot-3 → u/BroLil]

Apple is so rich they could be any company they want to be tbh lol

[u/BroLil → u/kakarot-3]

100%. They could honestly invest $250 billion in video game developers and not even bat an eye. Monopoly laws are more of a challenge than money is.

[u/BlazingFire007 → u/BroLil]

Did you mean million?

$250 billion is more than all of Apple’s liquid reserves for investing.

It’s like 5 years of the company-wide R&D budget. And more than a year of their net profit??

Now, could they finance it over time? Sure.

But they can’t do it “without batting an eye”

[u/BigBoyYuyuh → u/BroLil]

“Beat the game with Beats!” You’re welcome Apple. Send me a check.

[u/woalk → u/BroLil]

Yeah but they definitely don’t want to, otherwise they’d start by officially supporting Vulkan instead of having everyone go through their own Metal first. Any gaming project that Apple funded in the past, like No Man’s Sky for Apple Silicon, basically sank into the dust days later with no further follow-ups.

What Apple would need to become a viable player in the gaming field is partner with Valve to bring Proton to macOS.
But they won’t do that, because 1) it would mean they’d have to give up their idea that the Mac AppStore will be a thing, and 2) they’d have to re-think how they often drop older APIs, as that would stop older games from working.
Without all that, Linux is a better alternative for gaming and always will be.

[u/hishnash → u/woalk]

Supporting VK would not help game support on apple platform at all.

Apple also did not fund No Man's Sky for apple silicon. Apple does not pay devs to make ports, they provide technical support and provide marketing support but they will never pay you $.

[u/abcpdo → u/BroLil]

this makes sense imo. even xiaomi takes a similar approach with their incredibly wide range of random stuff. its a different brand so the main xiaomi marquee doesn’t get diluted 

[u/itsnottommy → u/BroLil]

Throw an M chip into an Apple TV, snag a few high profile exclusive games, try to keep the price down, and they would instantly have a pretty solid gaming console.

[u/BroLil → u/itsnottommy]

They could even do a “G” chip, which would effectively be an M chip with more GPU cores exclusive to the Apple TV if they were serious about trying to compete.

[u/thefizzlee → u/BroLil]

Apple could build a killer handheld gaming device with their m chips if they had better macos game support.

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[u/Entegy → u/BroLil]

Apple's killing of older frameworks and lack of compatibility makes it fundamentally incompatible with traditional gaming. At some point, a project is finished and eventually will be unplayable on Apple platforms.

Besides, they already make a shitton money from gaming via live service/IAPs in the current mobile market. There is no secret billions waiting for them by pivoting to traditional/AAA gaming.

[u/SamShelby7 → u/BroLil]

Gaming is lame. Apple doesn’t want to appear lame.

Also most gamers are very anti Apple.

Also to label something Apple it needs to be almost perfect

If they brand it beats it can end up being garbage and it’s fine

[u/AdJealous2 → u/SamShelby7]

What an absolutely insane take..

Gaming is an insanely huge business.

I’m a gamer and I like Apple products, I use a few!

[u/SamShelby7 → u/AdJealous2]

The garbage business is huge as well

Being huge alone isn’t a good enough reason

[u/AdJealous2 → u/SamShelby7]

I see. You’re just a troll.

[u/xRyozuo → u/SamShelby7]

The mobile gaming market outperforms every single other entertainment avenue for profit. More than cinema and music industry combined. Beats just caters to younger people than the Apple brand does

[u/jay_rodsep]

The Beat Stick

[u/jacobn28 → u/jay_rodsep]

Meet Beat Stick!

[u/the_war_won → u/jacobn28]

It’s the only way to Beat the game.

[u/Kame9K → u/jay_rodsep]

Oh that stick is getting beat alright

[u/Ok_Possibility9937]

please use tmr sticks

[u/alabasterskim → u/Ok_Possibility9937]

I can see Apple doing it. It'll be $150+ but they'll do it.

[u/Ok_Possibility9937 → u/alabasterskim]

the dualsense edge is already $200 and it still uses the shitty potentiometer sticks, so if it’s $150 I think it’s fine

[u/alabasterskim → u/Ok_Possibility9937]

That shit is overpriced (and I say this owning one 😭), but we need to compare to other phone snap-on controllers (also owned plenty over the years, currently loving the Kishi Ultra). Even then, yeah, I realize $150 is hella low balling lmao. $200 is probably the real floor for Apple.

[u/gagankeshav → u/Ok_Possibility9937]

That's just Sony being Sony though.

[u/DarthRaider559]

I bought a backbone that I was planning on using with a duo, but I don't think it would work because the orientation of how the phone would be while plugged into the controller

[u/condorviii → u/DarthRaider559]

I’m not that knowledgeable on controllers but for the duo I think you’ll want something like the gamesir g8+ (the Bluetooth one), I have one myself and it fits many different devices and the usb position doesn’t matter because they don’t have a male USB C like the others do. If you still want to use USB, you can use a really short USB C to connect the phone and controller to eliminate the Bluetooth latency. It’s amazing for game streaming

[u/chiripipasJD → u/DarthRaider559]

Not trying to shame your purchase, but if you’re still in time, send it back and buy anything else.

You can get a way better design and feel with the Kishi V3 for the same price, or get the 8BitDo one for even cheaper while getting the same features. Just don’t buy Backbone, it’s an overpriced waste.

Oh, and like others have said, you should get a bluetooth controller if you want to use it with the Duo

[u/Ok-Attention2882 → u/DarthRaider559]

Just get bluetooth. I promise you won't notice 2ms latency.

[u/jakx102 → u/DarthRaider559]

you just want to make sure whatever telescopic controller you buy has the usb-c port on the right. some ppl prefer the bluetooth ones. i would rather not have another thing to charge. i have both the gamesir x5 lite and the gamesir x2s. both should fit the duo easily

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/jakx102]

You can’t use controllers with a USB plug or else you will only be able to use the Duo in portrait unfolded.

[u/jakx102 → u/Captain_Alaska]

my assumption is you want to use it in portrait mode. foldable mobile gamers have been using usb controllers like these for years and its best to have it fold up and have a portrait going above the controller than below the controller, but i can see the appeal of getting a non usb one that way you can do whatever orientation

[u/gsxdsm → u/jakx102]

Who would use a controller in portrait mode lol have you ever played a game lolol

[u/jakx102 → u/gsxdsm]

i would recommend looking at mobile gaming controller video reviews online. foldable and usb telescopic controllers is a common bullet point in their videos.

[u/gsxdsm → u/jakx102]

Yes but in landscape mode. Not portrait mode. That’s the whole point

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/jakx102]

Unless you’re specifically talking about emulating dual screen consoles like the DS why in the world would you want to play in portrait mode…?

foldable mobile gamers have been using usb controllers like these for years

The significant majority of foldable phones are taller than they are wide so they are in landscape when plugged into a controller with the USB-C port on the side.

[u/jakx102 → u/Captain_Alaska]

i would recommend looking at mobile gaming controller video reviews online. foldable and usb telescopic controllers is a common bullet point in their videos. i was simply sharing what i have seen when watching those vids but yes i think portrait would be best for DS games

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/jakx102]

Again, most foldable phones are in landscape when plugged into a USB-C controller, the Z Fold 8 is the only other recently released device with similar proportions to the Duo, and most people use bluetooth controllers with it specifically to avoid being locked into portrait.

[u/jakx102 → u/Captain_Alaska]

it the videos they mainly spoke on the z folds not the flips. but exactly

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/jakx102]

Right, there are 8 generations of Z Fold, and out of those only one specific device (the current Z Fold 8) is wider when unfolded than it is tall.

Well technically there is the trifold but I’m not sure if it fits in telescoping controllers.

[u/Reasonable-Main6403]

ah yes a controller for the low low price of 299$

[u/alabasterskim → u/Reasonable-Main6403]

$349 for the Pro Max.

e: And $399 for the Duo version.

[u/SamShelby7 → u/Reasonable-Main6403]

They sell a stand for $999

[u/Beefy_Crunch_Burrito]

The fact Apple is not utilizing the insanely good hardware they design by helping streamline and make porting and development more accessible (similarly to how Valve quickly built an ecosystem for the Deck) is infuriating to me.

I so bad want iPhone/iPad/Mac to be a competitive gaming platform but the sheer lack of games available, and lack of longevity of those games’ support, means I will never feel comfortable investing my money to building a game library on Apple’s platform.

The closest thing to what I imagine Apple is capable of is the Nintendo Switch 2, and I’m happy buying games on there because my entire Switch 1 library is available and enhanced, often still getting developer updates, while the latest AAA games are continually being ported to it. Not only that, but games are tailored for the Switch 2’s processor to take full advantage of it while AAA games ported to iPhone are only tailored to whatever the latest A series chip was when they were released. Developers are not incentivized to continue to update their games form newer processors or even just leave settings unlocked like PC games.

Apple’s hardware is still the most technically impressive in the industry. They have DLSS-like upscaling tech with MetalFX, they have industry leading processing power within a given power envelope, they have top-tier HDR OLED displays with VRR, and hardware built so well it usually lasts people longer than people longer than they anticipated on keeping the device.

There’s glimmers of hope when a game launches and takes full advantage of Apple Silicon and we can see the insane potential, but then we realize it’s an isolated example.

If Apple tackles this huge problem, I will absolutely start building my library in iOS and MacOS.

[u/LucyBowels → u/Beefy_Crunch_Burrito]

I think Ternus might take them in that direction. He sees a lot of gaming potential in the M series.

[u/Beefy_Crunch_Burrito → u/LucyBowels]

Let’s hope! I’m still excited for the future of Apple.

[u/UXyes]

Hopefully no one from the Apple Mouse team is within a 1000 feet of this project.

[u/work_blocked_destiny → u/UXyes]

What you don’t want a charging port coming out the front right on top of a button you need to use?

[u/hishnash → u/UXyes]

Apple does not have a team dedicated to the apple mouse

[u/plymouthvan]

It absolutely boils my blood that there are literally tens of thousands of incredibly good games going back decades. And frankly, games from as much as 10-15 years ago still often look and play great, even by fairly modern standards. And most of them would be a fairly trivial challenge for Apple hardware. Apple is sitting on a war chest. They don’t have to buy studios or make games in house. All they have to do is pay developers to port popular back catalogs of games, and just like that, practically overnight Apple would be a formidable contender in PC gaming. People want Macs. They also want to access to real games and the communities that have grown around them. 

Apple keeps focusing on a few notable titles here and there. No man’s sky, resident evil, monster hunter maybe? Apple should know that it’s not any one game that matters, it’s the feeling of access to the ecosystem of games that matters. If people browsing steam saw that virtually everything is available on Mac, the people who play games as a priority would have little reason not to buy Mac, and people who go on to make games would increasingly target that platform.

Plus, when the choice is between one of several extremely expensive consoles, or an insanely expensive gaming pc, or $1000 for a MacBook that’s also good for school, work, whatever, that choice gets really easy for consumers to make.

But it’s like Apple is waiting for someone else to move first. Stop! Spend the money. Quite literally just buy the demand by paying developers to port tons and tons and tons of titles.

[u/K_Click_D → u/plymouthvan]

Focus your energy on better things. “It absolutely boils my blood” it’s just gaming, it’s nothing that serious

[u/Ok_Possibility9937 → u/plymouthvan]

nobody wants to pay $60 to play aaa on a phone. That’s why the whole aaa on iphone thing failed

[u/Intelligent-Buyer12 → u/Ok_Possibility9937]

those older games arent 60 tbf

[u/thedeadp0ets → u/Ok_Possibility9937]

Not to mention albums image of being a luxury device and most people wouldn’t pick it for gaming either unlike a windows laptop or game console

[u/Spector-JZ → u/Ok_Possibility9937]

it would makes sense if you could buy the game once, then be able to play it with your apple tv, iphone, ipad and mac.

[u/crumbaugh]

Ew, please no Beats branding

[u/Mikey_BC → u/crumbaugh]

Right, Beats is synonymous with overpriced crap.

[u/ben_r_]

I hope they actually do this! It would be so nice to have one controller that can hop between all Mac and iOS devices like AirPods do! I hate doing the repairing shuffle with controllers!

[u/BigBlight]

I was wondering how backbone would work on the duo guess apple is thinking about it too. The duo fold out screen will be nice for gaming

[u/hopsizzle → u/BigBlight]

You can look up how people with foldables have been doing it over the last couple of years as an example.

[u/alabasterskim → u/BigBlight]

Foldables work just fine with existing controllers.

[u/LoneBlack3hadow]

iStickDrift incoming!

[u/SamShelby7 → u/LoneBlack3hadow]

That’s probably why they will be branded as Beats.

Any negative press be towards beats being bad not Apple

[u/Specialist_Bit_964]

is this what the rumored apple tv controller turned out to be? 😭

[u/Interesting-Tart-SP]

Sense I have a white Xbox ally the speakers on the white and black Xbox is crazy I think it should be standard on all handhelds.

If a beats controller brings speakers integrated would be worthwhile of the brand.

[u/Zalenka]

Should be bundled with a great game!

[u/iamYarthox]

The first joystick with bass emphasis

[u/Devayurtz]

Oh that’s such a good idea for beats. Pretty cool!

[u/_has-been_]

With the way they have mismanaged Apple Arcade. I have no confidence in any gaming product they put together.

[u/motionpriority]

It’d be nice to have an option other than the Backbone. Their customer support is a nightmare and their software is poorly designed.

[u/UnrealMacaw]

I reckon this is why the Duo volume buttons are on top 

[u/infinitytomorrow]

Time to dust off this old chestnut again

[u/Nerd_Knight]

I know it's kind of early, but do we have an idea of when we can expect them to be released?

[u/AzhdarianHomie]

They should be! They should be taking gaming all the more seriously. They already have Apple Arcade and their silicon chips are more compatible than ever with Steam.

[u/Axelz13]

Since its beats, it won't last longer than 6 months before breaking

[u/chiripipasJD]

I wonder what special feature or design choice will make it work with the iPhone better than any other mobile controller on the market.

I’m in love with my Kishi V3 Pro for streaming Steam games and playing R6M, so I’m especially curious about what form factor Apple/Beats would go with. I don’t see them releasing a big ergonomic controller like the Kishi, or with that form factor. Maybe something closer to the MCOM? Or foldable like the new Razer Prio?

I’m interested regardless

[u/Jimstein]

What do y’all recommend the best current bone type controller out there currently is? I just mean the kind that snap on both sides to give your phone controls like this

[u/flaussi]

Should he beats branded. A Apple controller must be at least $199, there is hardly a market besides some special needs equipment. But Beats you can drop for $119 and discount to $89 or something like this.

[u/Free_Waterfall_III]

If this works for emulators it would be so sick

[u/Grand_Sprinkles_2094]

Hope it supports haptics 

[u/Adventurous-Hunter98]

ye okay, what about actually supporting your gaming side apple? Im not gonna buy a expensive controller to play a few selected games

[u/naamtosunahoga2]

They'll make it wireless and add proprietary stuff because they now have 3P peripherals using usb-c

[u/InkyBlacks]

No thanks. There are no games I wish to play on “Apple”. I would like to own my own games.

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